What is Cambridge Checkpoint?
Cambridge Checkpoint and Progression Tests provide a rigorous, standardised performance analysis of individual primary and lower secondary learners. Cambridge Progression Tests are internal assessments designed for use in the classroom and cover English as a first or second language, maths and science.
The Cambridge Checkpoint tests are used at the end of the Primary or Lower Secondary programmes. Cambridge Checkpoint is an assessment of performance while also giving learners the experience of taking an external assessment, as the test is marked by Cambridge.
Why do you offer Cambridge Checkpoint and Progression Tests?
Both tests help our learners and their teachers identify and address any areas of weakness in their learning and thereby improve their learning capabilities. In addition, Cambridge Checkpoint helps our learners overcome any fear of examinations and as a result they are more confident when they move on to Cambridge O Level exams. You can see the difference between learners who have prepared for the Checkpoint test and those who are new to Cambridge - our Checkpoint learners are much more confident and ready to move forward when they take their O Levels.
When do your learners take Cambridge Checkpoint and Progression Tests?
Learners from Grades 3 to 5 take a Cambridge Progression Test in the final term of the academic year. Learners in Grade 6 take the Cambridge Progression Test in February or March to help them prepare for Cambridge Checkpoint which they take in April.
How do you use Cambridge Progression Test results?
We mark the tests promptly and then share the results with the learners so they can start to self-reflect on any areas of weakness. As part of this process, we hold two sessions where learners can see both their marked test paper and the marking guidance (mark scheme) provided by Cambridge, which explains everything very well. We find that sharing mark schemes with the learners is an excellent learning tool, as it allows the learners to see their mistakes and learn from them.
By understanding how they should have answered a question our learners are very well prepared when they come to take Cambridge Checkpoint. We also use the test results to motivate our teachers to enrol on professional development courses with Cambridge, where they can improve their own skills.
Do you use the Cambridge online analysis tool for Cambridge Progression Tests?
Yes we do, and we find it very useful as it clearly highlights any weak areas on which learners need to work, and in this respect is helpful to both learners and teachers. For example, by using the reporting on the Analysis Dashboard on the Primary or Lower Secondary Support site we could see that while our learners were doing well in maths and science we could not get the same high marks in English.
We met with the English Department to discuss ways to enhance our learners’ capabilities in this subject, especially in areas such as vocabulary. As a result, we added more English units to our timetable, on vocabulary and on literature, and we are also designing activities to improve our learners’ writing skills, as they are good at comprehension but a little weaker on composition.
How do you celebrate your learners’ Cambridge Checkpoint results?
We always aim to have a wonderful celebration as we feel these young learners need to have their efforts acknowledged! Last year, for example, we held a ceremony at the British Deputy High Commission where our guests of honour were Mike Nithavrianakis, the Deputy High Commissioner, and Martin Dawson, Deputy Head of Mission.